S FUTURE

How might colleges and universities balance teaching and research responsibilities?

Is it possible to establish a rapport between institutions of higher learning and the public?

Kansas University Chancellor Gene Budig brought together 13 experts to ponder these and other issues facing higher education in a new book.

The 107-page volume, "A Higher Education Map for the 1990s," was two years in the making. Budig edited the book and wrote the final chapter, titled "Final Thoughts."

"Some of America's most respected educators have contributed to this editorial project," Budig said. "Their efforts clearly point the way on a number of important fronts.

"The contributions represent diverse views. They come from both state and private universities as well as major associations and foundations."

BUDIG SAID American higher education offers more access, more diversity among its institutions, more services to the community and better research and graduate training than any other system in the world.

However, international events the end of the Cold War and affirmation of the economic and political influence of Asia will transform higher education in the 1990s, he said.

Budig said U.S. higher education must actively respond to the new challenges and opportunities that this period of global change and reform has wrought.

"Business and industry must, therefore, become more willing partners in the education enterprise, not by establishing their own programs, but by supporting public education," Budig wrote.

"In turn, the education community must demonstrate to the private sector how scholarship, internships and other support can return dividends, both on quarterly reports and as long-term investments," he wrote.

BUDIG WROTE that federal and state leaders must bring greater levels of support to international studies to produce people capable of functioning in a complex world.

Many people in higher education recognize undergraduate education sometimes has been taken for granted, he wrote. The 1990s should produce a plethora of ideas for improving undergraduate teaching, he added.

The chancellor wrote that the academic side of intercollegiate athletics would receive far more emphasis in this decade.

"We can expect stiffer academic standards despite criticism from angry coaches," he wrote. "More alumni may become concerned about the state of athletics; those who do will, most often, side with coaches. The situation for presidents will be uncomfortable."

BUDIG EXPECTS student activism to increase in the 1990s. There may not be one single issue of the future, rather a group of emerging ones, he wrote.

U.S. colleges and universities should brace for a public and political backlash on the matter of cultural diversity.

"We must stress to all our audiences the real purpose behind the emphasis on diversity: the creation of a viable social and political community," he wrote.

Budig said he was "very satisfied" with the book, which was targeted at presidents, chancellors, deans, department heads, faculty leaders, trustees and regents.

THE PROJECT was sponsored by the American Council on Education and published by MacMillan.

"No one refused to participate in this editorial project," he said.

Chapter subjects and authors include:

"The Decade Ahead," Stanley Ikenberry, University of Illinois president.

"Higher Education, Diversity and the Nation's Future," Ernest Boyer, president of Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.